02/01/2007
Stork Prints announces the acquisition of AKL.

Stork Prints announces the acquisition of AKL Flexo Technik.

Boxmeer (Netherlands) and Warburg (Germany): The Stork Prints Group announces
the acquisition of AKL Flexo Technik (based in Warburg, Germany), one of the leading
producers and innovators of in-the-round flexo sleeves.
Edward Scheppink has been appointed the new managing director. He joins from Stork Prints
where he was commercial manager for sleeve products at the company’s Boxmeer
headquarters. He will also assume all commercial responsibilities, including sales and marketing
activities.
Also, Ronald van de Meer, with over 16 years experience at AKL and one of the company's cofounders
has been appointed technical manager.
Founded in 1990 and now employing 50 staff, AKL Flexotechnik supplies printing machine
manufacturers, repro and printing houses worldwide with a wide range of flexographic products
principally for the label and flexible
package printing markets. One of its
most notable innovations in flexo
sleeve technology is the highly
acclaimed OptiFlex thin sleeve. The
sleeve's compatibility with any
photopolymer gives customers the
only true open platform that does not
restrict the use of a specific polymer
material. Not only can printers enjoy
exceptionally fast set-up times of as
little as 30 seconds per printing
station, they also have total freedom to
select the material with the best
qualities or hardness that suits the
particular print run.

Mr. Scheppink comments: "This is a strategic fit which will have benefits not just for the
organisations concerned, but for the flexo industry, too. AKL brings a wealth of technical
expertise to the Stork Prints Group, and a complementary product portfolio that will enable us to
develop the complete open-platform package for all in-the-round engraving needs. Furthermore,
we share the same commitment to optimising flexography through constant innovation.”
At the same time, Stork Prints brings AKL access to extensive R&D and financial resources, as
well as a global distribution network, which will help the company grow and further improve its
service levels by improving lead times and being closer to the customer.
Edward continues: "We believe that in-the-round
flexo sleeve imaging has enormous potential -
especially because of the growth in the flexible
packaging market, and the need for seamlessendless
printing solutions in combination with laser
technology for both LAM (Laser Ablation Mask) and
DLE (Direct Laser Engraving). AKL Flexo Technik’s
expertise in this area will be instrumental in helping
us find ways to reduce further the cost of ownership
of flexography. A crucial step in achieving this is the
development of fully compatible seamless-endless
printing formes, which offer fast easy transfer from pre-press to printing stage, and ease of setup.”
With the financial backing of Stork Prints, Ronald van de Meer will be looking to make strategic
investments in production efficiency at the Warburg plant as well as boosting the research and
development program for the AKL product range.
Furthermore Edward emphasised to customers: “We want to stress that our acquisition of AKL
will be as smooth as possible, and will strengthen the day-to-day business,” he says. “We will
analyse the performance levels on a regional basis, and we will offer extra support to AKL's
existing distribution channels, wherever appropriate.”

ABOUT THE STORK PRINTS GROUP

Stork Prints is the leading supplier of printing consumable concepts for the textile and graphic
markets as well as two-dimensional, high accuracy, metal precision products. Through
continuous innovation and the strongest distribution network ensure we can add value to our
customers’ processes.
Stork Prints is part of Stork NV, a global technology group comprising 60 companies, with a total
workforce of around 13,000 and a turnover of 1.9 billion.

ABOUT AKL Flexo Technik GmbH

AKL Flexo Technik GmbH, Germany, is a state-of-the-art company manufacturing an everincreasing
range of sleeves for the flexo printing industry. The company, founded in 1990, has
been at the forefront of technical sleeve design and manufacturing and continues to offer
innovative solutions to meet the demands of the flexo industry.
Beginning with the basic plate mountable sleeve to its digitally engraved photopolymer sleeve,
AKL offers a wide range of printing sleeves including repeat, foam/cushion, rubber and adaptor
sleeves.
In addition, AKL offers a sleeve for anilox rollers to compliment its full range of products to serve
the flexo printing industry.

Biography

EDWARD SCHEPPINK –
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AKL FLEXO TECHNIK

23rd November, 2006: Edward Scheppink has been appointed as managing director of AKL
Flexo Technik, the company newly acquired by Stork Prints BV. Edward brings
extensive experience in printing, ink industries and leadership abilities built up in his successful
marketing and sales career, which so far has spanned over two decades.
After gaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in international marketing at the University of Zwolle,
Netherlands, Edward initially joined international pharmaceutical concern Eli Lilly Netherlands,
based in the same city. In his ten years at the company, he progressed to the position of
national sales manager. He then joined Ralston Colour Systems, also at Zwolle, initially as area
sales director, before promotion to the position of business unit director.
Then, at Kappa Packaging, one of one of Europe’s leading paper and board manufacturers,he
was appointed marketing and sales director of the company’s box printing production centre,
Kappa De Zeeuw, at Eerbeek, Netherlands. He transformed the production centre’ssales force
into a market-driven organisation, and was responsible for introducing an improved colourmatching
system, enabling the company to maintain high productivity in the face of increased
new product introductions, more complex package designs and shorter runs. This also resulted
in reduction of ink usage by 30 per cent at Kappa de Zeeuw.
Edward joined Stork Prints in May 2006, as sales manager for laser engraving and flexo
products at the Boxmeer headquarters. As a result, he has already benefited from close
involvement with AKL. Outside work, hobbies include sailing, skiing and travelling.

per maggiorni informazioni visita il sito:
http://www.stork.com/prints